NEW ORLEANS — David Simon, creator of the critically acclaimed television shows “The Wire” and “Homicide: Life on the Street” is in New Orleans working on his next project.

Named after the Creole neighbourhood known for its rich musical history, “Treme” (truh-MAY’) is a prospective TV series geared for HBO that aims to capture New Orleans’ heritage and traditions as residents struggle to recover from Hurricane Katrina.

However, Simon is quick to say it’s not just another Katrina project.

“This is an American story,” he said in an interview from outside a jazz club where the hourlong pilot was being filmed Wednesday. “This is about an American city trying to pick itself up and doing it without a great deal of help.”

To tell the story, Simon abandons almost all the backdrops New Orleans is best known for – the French Quarter and Garden District included – and gets into grittier, lesser-known neighbourhoods he says have been “under-chronicled.”

Some of the cast members include Wendell Pierce, Steve Zahn, Khandi Alexander, Melissa Leo, Kim Dickens and Clarke Peters. Sounds like a terrific cast. Wendell and Clarke are The Wire alumni. I hope HBO picks up this show. I’m looking forward to watching it.